Got my s3 for a month now! I'm pretty satisfied about it. Just play it for fun or when drinking by myself just to ease the week of hardwork.. it sounds good and the neck is so nice to play..
I had a Sire S7 and sold it after about six months. What was the reason? It's great to play, has a good sound, the hardware is great. Basically a guitar to keep. I was missing something on the Sire that I found on a slightly worn used Gibson SG and also on a G&L ASAT Classic, as well as on a Starfield Cabriolet from 1991: soul. My S7 sounded somehow sterile and listless in comparison. I wasn't aware of that for a long time. There was always something I was missing on it. OK, that's my personal opinion of the beautiful S7. It's superbly made, no question about it.
It doesn't matter if you're calling it an S7 with upgraded pickups, hardware and a flatter radius... You still can't take that money to fender unless you want to come back with half the guitar! S10 is still a great value in comparison to almost any other manufacturer. If you bought an S7 and changed out the pickups and the hardware you'd still have more money in it than buying the S10. Shredders and rockers love a flatter radius and a more contemporary guitar. It may not be your cup of tea... But there's a large cross section of guitar players that will love it.
@@2Yards Exactly and it's resale value will reflect that plus if you go second hand you would get an equivalent if not better fender guitar in terms of specs. If I was a rocker or shredder I'd also pick a charvel over these. For around 800 you get compound radius seymour duncan pickups, locking tuners etc. I think these may struggle.
John, sounds great. Specs: Seymour Duncan pups, S/S frets, H/S case, bone nut, so THAT"s a decent price, BUT, if the neck radius is not "suitable", then it's a non-starter. You should compare this to the Fender Ultra Luxe at $2700+ (USD) with similar specs
Just bought a T7 with P90's hollowbody body style. Plays amazing. For half the price. Their pickups are sweet, no need for Duncans. I'd get a Charvel as a super strat for that price, but I'm a Jackson/Charvel guy. Sire necks are awesome, but nothing plays like a Charvel IMO.
This applies to all guitars. Guitar sellers never seem to set up or intonate and adjust/tune the instruments they sell. Maybe this should happen at the manufacturer's, but this adds to the cost if a guitar and become a false economy, especially in the more affordable end of the market. Anything up to the £1000 point should be expected to have finishing set up and QC happen at the factory... full stop!! By the way this guitar has a harsh mettalic tone... does ut have Stainless Steele frets?
Sorry for my clumsy typing, writing " does " ut" have Stainless Steele frets!" This unconsciously betrays my New Zealand accent and pronunciation in written form.
Hi John, I notice a dent to the finish on this one behind the bridge at around the level of the high E string. It catches the light when you do the chording demo from around 6:24 onwards. I bought an S7 in vintage white identical to one that you reviewed previously by the way. I love it! If only I could make it sound like you do lol! Beautiful playing as ever man, regards from Northern Ireland 👍
Yeah, there definitely appears to be an indentation on the body behind the bridge that would affect the re-sale value if you bought this new and then decided to move it on.
Providing one buys guitars with resale in mind....I won't buy an instrument I have intentions of selling. Buy what you like..what sounds good, feels good, plays well and is esthetically pleasing and play it....I mean that's why you bought it in then first place ! By the way, Sweetwater's inventory is now on backorder...apparently they have already sold out their allotted inventory.
@@worthmoremusic I think you’re a pretty unique dude. I, and every guitarist I know, including the maker of this video (from his own mouth and quite aside from stuff he buys only for demo purposes) are endlessly buying and selling gear. I buy cheaper guitars without concern about resale value, but when we’re up around £1k and over mark it matters to most people.
@@Arthur_My_Dear Yeah, I know people are buying and selling gear all the time. That's their thing...even your boy John has done a video in regards to his agreeing about a conversation between John Mayer and Keith Urban about how you can tell when listening to a player they know their instrument well because they play it all the time...and it shows ! They like many, have their favorites and those are the ones they constantly play. John favors K Line and now the USA built SilverSky... I say if you're going to buy a $1000+ guitar, it's because you want it, you love it enough to pay that much. p.s... I'm a "dudette" 🙋♀
@@Arthur_My_Dear “ Keith Urban said John (Mayer) said to me, 'When you hear a solo, you can tell how well that guy knows that guitar.' I went, 'He's so true'”: Keith Urban and John Mayer agree - having fewer guitars can make you a better guitar player. th-cam.com/video/UWAWEXw3TdE/w-d-xo.htmlsi=z-03B6Pcnm005IxJ
@@worthmoremusic Haha, your username doesn’t give anything away. We have different experiences then I guess. I have bought and sold many guitars over £1k during my time here, and they’ve all been ‘name’ guitars. I don’t go to shops to try them out anymore, whether new or used, which is another reason I stick to well-known brands when laying down a lot of cash. But I agree that if I did try it first in a shop and I bonded with it, that could make the difference. Maybe. I’ve got more money than sense or talent or taste (which isn’t saying that much actually) It’s shit how you’re poor when you’re young and hungry and a bit burnt out or sleepy by the time you can get whatever you want. Players turn into collectors
Handpicked ringer sooo I can't really get a feel for what I'm likely to get. On my end it looks and sounds great and as usual, your playing is beautiful. I have one compound radius necked guitar and don't much care for it. I prefer more of a straight 10 or something like that. I like a full-bodied neck too so those skinny yardsticks turned into guitar necks seem like Matel toys. It does look beautiful though.
Not a skinny neck bro and the one I got came out of the box perfect I lowered the action to my preference that's it.The guitar is well equipped to rip some blues don't go by this marshmallow elevator sound here it stomps a Fender😂
Both your videos on the Sire S10 sound as if the brand should be punished for being good quality all across the lineup. If they found a way to make the barebones structure of all their models so well, what else can one expect, besides improved hardware, electronics, and accessories? It’d be nice to see a side to side comparison between one of these and a Suhr (which seems to be what they are really aiming for with the 10 series. Because the 7 is already good enough to compete with most Fenders).
Looks nice, sounds nice, and I think for the overall package the price is more than appropriate. Personally, I don't like gold hardware, I don't like a radius over 10" (on a T- or S-style), and I hate stainless steel frets. Give me a S7 (with the proper neck) with the case, the SD pickups and 3 pots, and the Gotoh vibrato (if possible in nickel)... and I will buy it in a heartbeat for that price.
@@JeanLeite-d1e Exactly,I'm not trying to be a ball buster but some of these people are clueless, they have no idea how nice of a guitar this is and make comments,I have this exact model and all I did was adjust the action it pro qaulity 100%,I had a nice strat from 96 a deluxe plus with lace sensors,roller nut,locking tuners,maple fretboard it was great all I used I never even had to turn the truss rod in 20 yrs(I'm serious)it got stolen and when I went and played some new ones I wasn't impressed, player plus for 1,100 with razor sharp frets and a lot of money for the pro ii as equipped so I pre ordered this one from a trusted online co. It's one guitar I won't be selling lets put it that way👍
Dang.. when American fender is under the sale price, it's kinda hard to spend that much for Sire right now unless you really really fall in love with that sire guitar..
Great demo and great tone ! Price wise, if you want to upgrade your $550 S7 to match the S10, you will be slightly above $1000. Are the woods and the electronics better on the S10 ?
I mean why would you John? I picked up a nice used EJ Strat for less. Popped it into David Anthony Reid for some fettling and it's just an astounding Strat for less money. And I can sell it for what I paid if the notion takes me, the Sire will be lucky to hit £400 used.
It is a great guitar for the money. Only Seymour Duncans are about 400€. However, you are aproaching Fender American Performer, which, is a great guitar and looks more beautiful as all Fenders. I wouldn't say the quality is better, but...it is a fender.
@@greggreenlee6845 in my experience Compound radius's cause more issues than they solve. Intonation and neck relief and playability. I think it is a good idea in theory but not in practice...but that is my opinion.
@@TheZenguitarguy I like rounder fingerboards for country and open string stuff but for shreddy stuff? 12 or flatter is great for playing up high. I have a 10-16 Tele that is killer. I get the set up issues as there are always compromises. More fret buzz with rounder boards and low action. Flat boards are meh for playing lead on the low frets. That's why I have several guitars. Cheers!
Yep, in my opinion what you've said is the single biggest problem with many newer brands. At this price point their resale value will be awful too and the headstock on the S and T style guitars is not appealing.
I got enough "good" guitars so looking hard at that limited paranormal nashville squier strat, fiesta, and CV 50s strat, fiesta. I'd be tempted to take those two with gotoh hardware upgrades over this.
The headstocks always look off on Sire guitars (too me). But this sounds fantastic. That said, you can get a million different MIJ strat copies that play great and feel like a 1000 dollar guitar for 300. Just swap the PUPs and you have saved some money.
Considering the Sire against the PRS Silver Sky SE, and I go Silver Sky every time. Again keeping in mind we're talking bang-for-buck value. Sire appears to be overreaching IMO. Also, that particular Sire is quite... orange(?!) Good job on the case I guess, though I'd rather have a quality gigbag~
@@monahantp3767 you may want to keep an open mind,I had a silver cry se and it was a mess ,I fixed that turkey and sold it,now that's an ugly headstock with a cheezy build,and an American pro ii is also quite a tinker toy next to this guitar,you better check it out,you sound foolish to me,good luck
The only thing I don't like about Sire S type guitars is the headstock, it looks out of place in relation to the body, it should be rounder and curvy like the body, instead of tha weird shape, unlike their LP style models where the headstocks look mint
First thing I did to my sire T7TV was taking a saw to it. I hate the soft beak/phlegm drop headstock so much. Otherwise great guitars, that said at this prise point you can get a FGN or Vola and various plus model fenders, Its a crowded market. Peace
Don't worry only an idiot would re sell it,to get what😂 Fenders are a dime a doze🎉n my friend best to see the resale on those and it's not good cause everyone is realizing they got taken by fender it's a 900 dollar guitar
World-class playing as always 🫡 Normally I never weigh in on S-type guitars because they aren’t my taste at all but I feel so strongly about this that I’m compelled to give my ¢2. Personally, the attack transient of the notes when you really dig in (the solo from 2:13-3:48 is a prime example) was extremely unpleasant to me. I know it’s a blazing hot take but I don’t love single-coils in general, and this particular case is a great example why not. That transient is absolutely piercing; it’s the proverbial “ice pick to the eardrum.” I abhor that scratchy-sounding blast of full-spectrum white noise at the beginning of every forcefully-played note, and it’s made even more piercing by the fact that the mostly uncompressed, high dynamic range of single-coils allows for such a wide level difference between the transient and the fundamental frequency of the note itself that the transient totally overpowers the pitched component of that note. Obviously this can be controlled, and the solo tone from about 3:00 to the end of the demo at 5:00 is a good example of a much more balanced overdriven single-coil lead tone where the transient isn’t so out-of-control loud and painful, but oof I’m pretty sure I hate these pickups, and I never use the word “hate.” I don’t think any less of Sire (I’m generally enthusiastic about them but I’ve never played one so I ultimately don’t have an opinion) but I suddenly find myself skeptical of Seymour Duncan LOL
Got my s3 for a month now! I'm pretty satisfied about it. Just play it for fun or when drinking by myself just to ease the week of hardwork.. it sounds good and the neck is so nice to play..
I had a Sire S7 and sold it after about six months. What was the reason? It's great to play, has a good sound, the hardware is great. Basically a guitar to keep. I was missing something on the Sire that I found on a slightly worn used Gibson SG and also on a G&L ASAT Classic, as well as on a Starfield Cabriolet from 1991: soul. My S7 sounded somehow sterile and listless in comparison. I wasn't aware of that for a long time. There was always something I was missing on it. OK, that's my personal opinion of the beautiful S7. It's superbly made, no question about it.
dang dude I've been waiting for an s10sss video! one of my most anticipated axes of the year for sure
I really dig your channel, too, Mike. You need to review one of these on it.
It doesn't matter if you're calling it an S7 with upgraded pickups, hardware and a flatter radius...
You still can't take that money to fender unless you want to come back with half the guitar! S10 is still a great value in comparison to almost any other manufacturer. If you bought an S7 and changed out the pickups and the hardware you'd still have more money in it than buying the S10.
Shredders and rockers love a flatter radius and a more contemporary guitar. It may not be your cup of tea... But there's a large cross section of guitar players that will love it.
@@2Yards Exactly and it's resale value will reflect that plus if you go second hand you would get an equivalent if not better fender guitar in terms of specs. If I was a rocker or shredder I'd also pick a charvel over these. For around 800 you get compound radius seymour duncan pickups, locking tuners etc. I think these may struggle.
John, sounds great. Specs: Seymour Duncan pups, S/S frets, H/S case, bone nut, so THAT"s a decent price, BUT, if the neck radius is not "suitable", then it's a non-starter. You should compare this to the Fender Ultra Luxe at $2700+ (USD) with similar specs
Just bought a T7 with P90's hollowbody body style. Plays amazing. For half the price. Their pickups are sweet, no need for Duncans. I'd get a Charvel as a super strat for that price, but I'm a Jackson/Charvel guy. Sire necks are awesome, but nothing plays like a Charvel IMO.
Remove the stickers if you want to sell an expensive guitar? Doesnt a similarity priced fender have stickers on the pickguard?
It's very easy to peel off and leaves no residue.
Loved your playing. Reminds me of Blackstrat Blues Knights in Shining Karma
Damn dude...PLAY THAT NECK!..this is what a session guitarist looks like 😮😊
All I can say is they are a good guitar once you make them playable. They really do need better QC and Customer Service tho.
This applies to all guitars. Guitar sellers never seem to set up or intonate and adjust/tune the instruments they sell. Maybe this should happen at the manufacturer's, but this adds to the cost if a guitar and become a false economy, especially in the more affordable end of the market. Anything up to the £1000 point should be expected to have finishing set up and QC happen at the factory... full stop!! By the way this guitar has a harsh mettalic tone... does ut have Stainless Steele frets?
Sorry for my clumsy typing, writing " does " ut" have Stainless Steele frets!" This unconsciously betrays my New Zealand accent and pronunciation in written form.
Disagree.
Doesn't at all sound like you're struggling with the radius. Some lovely chord melodies around 7:20, really nice
Hi John, I notice a dent to the finish on this one behind the bridge at around the level of the high E string. It catches the light when you do the chording demo from around 6:24 onwards. I bought an S7 in vintage white identical to one that you reviewed previously by the way. I love it! If only I could make it sound like you do lol! Beautiful playing as ever man, regards from Northern Ireland 👍
Man on a bike.
Yeah, there definitely appears to be an indentation on the body behind the bridge that would affect the re-sale value if you bought this new and then decided to move it on.
I think this is totally the wrong market segment for Sire to target. It will have horrendous resale value
Providing one buys guitars with resale in mind....I won't buy an instrument I have intentions of selling. Buy what you like..what sounds good, feels good, plays well and is esthetically pleasing and play it....I mean that's why you bought it in then first place ! By the way, Sweetwater's inventory is now on backorder...apparently they have already sold out their allotted inventory.
@@worthmoremusic I think you’re a pretty unique dude. I, and every guitarist I know, including the maker of this video (from his own mouth and quite aside from stuff he buys only for demo purposes) are endlessly buying and selling gear. I buy cheaper guitars without concern about resale value, but when we’re up around £1k and over mark it matters to most people.
@@Arthur_My_Dear Yeah, I know people are buying and selling gear all the time. That's their thing...even your boy John has done a video in regards to his agreeing about a conversation between John Mayer and Keith Urban about how you can tell when listening to a player they know their instrument well because they play it all the time...and it shows ! They like many, have their favorites and those are the ones they constantly play. John favors K Line and now the USA built SilverSky... I say if you're going to buy a $1000+ guitar, it's because you want it, you love it enough to pay that much. p.s... I'm a "dudette" 🙋♀
@@Arthur_My_Dear “ Keith Urban said John (Mayer) said to me, 'When you hear a solo, you can tell how well that guy knows that guitar.' I went, 'He's so true'”: Keith Urban and John Mayer agree - having fewer guitars can make you a better guitar player. th-cam.com/video/UWAWEXw3TdE/w-d-xo.htmlsi=z-03B6Pcnm005IxJ
@@worthmoremusic Haha, your username doesn’t give anything away. We have different experiences then I guess. I have bought and sold many guitars over £1k during my time here, and they’ve all been ‘name’ guitars. I don’t go to shops to try them out anymore, whether new or used, which is another reason I stick to well-known brands when laying down a lot of cash. But I agree that if I did try it first in a shop and I bonded with it, that could make the difference. Maybe. I’ve got more money than sense or talent or taste (which isn’t saying that much actually) It’s shit how you’re poor when you’re young and hungry and a bit burnt out or sleepy by the time you can get whatever you want. Players turn into collectors
Handpicked ringer sooo I can't really get a feel for what I'm likely to get. On my end it looks and sounds great and as usual, your playing is beautiful. I have one compound radius necked guitar and don't much care for it. I prefer more of a straight 10 or something like that. I like a full-bodied neck too so those skinny yardsticks turned into guitar necks seem like Matel toys. It does look beautiful though.
Not a skinny neck bro and the one I got came out of the box perfect I lowered the action to my preference that's it.The guitar is well equipped to rip some blues don't go by this marshmallow elevator sound here it stomps a Fender😂
Both your videos on the Sire S10 sound as if the brand should be punished for being good quality all across the lineup. If they found a way to make the barebones structure of all their models so well, what else can one expect, besides improved hardware, electronics, and accessories? It’d be nice to see a side to side comparison between one of these and a Suhr (which seems to be what they are really aiming for with the 10 series. Because the 7 is already good enough to compete with most Fenders).
Compete AND beat most Fenders in reality!
One of his cons is a sticker? It's a decal that has no adhesive. It peals right off.
Looks nice, sounds nice, and I think for the overall package the price is more than appropriate. Personally, I don't like gold hardware, I don't like a radius over 10" (on a T- or S-style), and I hate stainless steel frets. Give me a S7 (with the proper neck) with the case, the SD pickups and 3 pots, and the Gotoh vibrato (if possible in nickel)... and I will buy it in a heartbeat for that price.
could you compare wit a prs silversky se
Gorgeous! Sire just keeps banging out amazing guitars as the standards keep putting out high cost questionable quality products!
smaller radius fretboards, ie vintage, are more fun.
I wouldn’t change my S7 vintage for this one. If needed i’d change the pickups (and i don’t feel the need actually) and it would still be under 1000£.
I’ve been anxiously awaiting any information and a review of one of these. Thank you!
beautiful guitar,sounds good
I have a Sire S7 but would go with a MIJ Vola for this price point.
Same
Vola,so gay looking it hurts,talk about ugly headstock,ugly guitar and no name shit components,something a sissy would play😂😂😂😂
Vola😂 that entire guitar is ugly never mind the headstock,you better try one of these out before you do,good luck
@@pejoarda772 Agreed! The Vola looks like something I'd find on Amazon.
@@JeanLeite-d1e Exactly,I'm not trying to be a ball buster but some of these people are clueless, they have no idea how nice of a guitar this is and make comments,I have this exact model and all I did was adjust the action it pro qaulity 100%,I had a nice strat from 96 a deluxe plus with lace sensors,roller nut,locking tuners,maple fretboard it was great all I used I never even had to turn the truss rod in 20 yrs(I'm serious)it got stolen and when I went and played some new ones I wasn't impressed, player plus for 1,100 with razor sharp frets and a lot of money for the pro ii as equipped so I pre ordered this one from a trusted online co. It's one guitar I won't be selling lets put it that way👍
Dang.. when American fender is under the sale price, it's kinda hard to spend that much for Sire right now unless you really really fall in love with that sire guitar..
Great demo and great tone !
Price wise, if you want to upgrade your $550 S7 to match the S10, you will be slightly above $1000.
Are the woods and the electronics better on the S10 ?
The S10 is a swamp ash body - so possibly?
I mean why would you John? I picked up a nice used EJ Strat for less. Popped it into David Anthony Reid for some fettling and it's just an astounding Strat for less money. And I can sell it for what I paid if the notion takes me, the Sire will be lucky to hit £400 used.
can u review the s5?
It is a great guitar for the money. Only Seymour Duncans are about 400€. However, you are aproaching Fender American Performer, which, is a great guitar and looks more beautiful as all Fenders. I wouldn't say the quality is better, but...it is a fender.
HT Strat?
I prefer my s3 over the s7 having owned both.
Wow a 1300 dollar guitar that comes with a hardshell case.
Just say Noooo to compound radius!!! Sounds good as always John.
What wrong with a compound radius neck? Don't see any issues, I have both styles.
@@greggreenlee6845 in my experience Compound radius's cause more issues than they solve. Intonation and neck relief and playability. I think it is a good idea in theory but not in practice...but that is my opinion.
@@TheZenguitarguy I like rounder fingerboards for country and open string stuff but for shreddy stuff? 12 or flatter is great for playing up high. I have a 10-16 Tele that is killer. I get the set up issues as there are always compromises. More fret buzz with rounder boards and low action. Flat boards are meh for playing lead on the low frets. That's why I have several guitars. Cheers!
Sounds good but the looks not for me
Yep, in my opinion what you've said is the single biggest problem with many newer brands. At this price point their resale value will be awful too and the headstock on the S and T style guitars is not appealing.
I can't help but think that looks very plain for top tier of the range, would be going Pro 2 for not much more money and better resale value
And you'll be getting taken
This goes into Suhr territory specwise, and I would definitely prefer this over a Suhr for half the money or less
Half? A quarter
this is the perfect worship guitar....
Hard to beat an SE Silver Sky, at a considerably lower price
Also a good second hand fender or a even a new charvel at around 800 will have SD pickups, locking tuners etc.
It beats it like a drum son
Meanwhile most retailers are sold out and there's no shortage of Silver Skys in stock.
I got enough "good" guitars so looking hard at that limited paranormal nashville squier strat, fiesta, and CV 50s strat, fiesta. I'd be tempted to take those two with gotoh hardware upgrades over this.
The Epiphonification of Sire. $1200 is the new $599.
Except Sire still has $599 guitars where as Epiphone is in many cases approaching $800 for the same quality.
@@JeanLeite-d1e The same qaulity🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
The headstocks always look off on Sire guitars (too me). But this sounds fantastic. That said, you can get a million different MIJ strat copies that play great and feel like a 1000 dollar guitar for 300. Just swap the PUPs and you have saved some money.
Guitar a bit irrelevant, the playing and chord voicings terrific! Cheers Stephen from Scotland
Considering the Sire against the PRS Silver Sky SE, and I go Silver Sky every time. Again keeping in mind we're talking bang-for-buck value. Sire appears to be overreaching IMO. Also, that particular Sire is quite... orange(?!) Good job on the case I guess, though I'd rather have a quality gigbag~
@@monahantp3767 you may want to keep an open mind,I had a silver cry se and it was a mess ,I fixed that turkey and sold it,now that's an ugly headstock with a cheezy build,and an American pro ii is also quite a tinker toy next to this guitar,you better check it out,you sound foolish to me,good luck
this is the worst headstock I've even seen. Сopied from old Czech Yolana.
Always reminds me of a flamingos head.
I was thinking it looks like Buzz Buzzard.
The headstock shape is based on Larry Carlton’s old signature model made in California by the now defunct Valley Arts Guitars.
I always called it a "foot". Though it grew on me after a few months of ownership.
I like it 🤷
The only thing I don't like about Sire S type guitars is the headstock, it looks out of place in relation to the body, it should be rounder and curvy like the body, instead of tha weird shape, unlike their LP style models where the headstocks look mint
The headstock on their semi-hollow guitars is fine, the ones on their S and T style guitars ruin it for me. Shallow I know.
First thing I did to my sire T7TV was taking a saw to it. I hate the soft beak/phlegm drop headstock so much. Otherwise great guitars, that said at this prise point you can get a FGN or Vola and various plus model fenders, Its a crowded market.
Peace
That headstock! Red flag for me 🤷🏻♂️☹️ I can’t go any further…
Absolutely! The headstock is responsible for the sound and playability!
@@pb25193 you’re right. You can’t play even just one note on a headless guitar.
@@pb25193 LMAO!
I'd just buy a used American Fender or G&L for that price and it wouldn't depreciate like an import.
1300 quid for strat copy? er ........ no jack Palance
Perhaps a strat copy that’s better than the real thing.
My £475 Sire is def better than a Squier.
When will that terrible gold hype finally be over? it makes It look like cheap Chinese toys...
I honestly don't know any serious guitarists who buy new guitars
You're funny 😂
Biggest issue is not the comparison to an equivalent fender for playability, but for resale.
Don't worry only an idiot would re sell it,to get what😂 Fenders are a dime a doze🎉n my friend best to see the resale on those and it's not good cause everyone is realizing they got taken by fender it's a 900 dollar guitar
Sill just a boring old Strat design....
Looks like a cheap guitar. Needs a better headstock, birdseye maple neck for that money.
World-class playing as always 🫡
Normally I never weigh in on S-type guitars because they aren’t my taste at all but I feel so strongly about this that I’m compelled to give my ¢2. Personally, the attack transient of the notes when you really dig in (the solo from 2:13-3:48 is a prime example) was extremely unpleasant to me. I know it’s a blazing hot take but I don’t love single-coils in general, and this particular case is a great example why not. That transient is absolutely piercing; it’s the proverbial “ice pick to the eardrum.” I abhor that scratchy-sounding blast of full-spectrum white noise at the beginning of every forcefully-played note, and it’s made even more piercing by the fact that the mostly uncompressed, high dynamic range of single-coils allows for such a wide level difference between the transient and the fundamental frequency of the note itself that the transient totally overpowers the pitched component of that note.
Obviously this can be controlled, and the solo tone from about 3:00 to the end of the demo at 5:00 is a good example of a much more balanced overdriven single-coil lead tone where the transient isn’t so out-of-control loud and painful, but oof I’m pretty sure I hate these pickups, and I never use the word “hate.”
I don’t think any less of Sire (I’m generally enthusiastic about them but I’ve never played one so I ultimately don’t have an opinion) but I suddenly find myself skeptical of Seymour Duncan LOL